Obituary: WILLIAM E. THURMAN, age 84

Tuesday

Apr 15, 2014 at 12:47 PM

WILLIAM E. THURMAN, age 84 of Nebraska City, NE, died Monday, April 14, 2014, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lincoln, NE after battling illness. Bill was born September 1, 1929, in Lincoln, NE to Ray Arthur Thurman and Rena Ott (Poling) Thurman, the youngest of three children.

WILLIAM E. THURMAN, age 84 of Nebraska City, NE, died Monday, April 14, 2014, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lincoln, NE after battling illness. Bill was born September 1, 1929, in Lincoln, NE to Ray Arthur Thurman and Rena Ott (Poling) Thurman, the youngest of three children.

Bill spent most of his youth in Nebraska City and was a graduate of Nebraska City High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Peru State College in 1951. He turned down a teaching/coaching job to work as a salesman, having sold goods ranging from baby formula to insurance.

He started a sporting goods store, "Pla-Mor Sporting Goods," but later sold the business to sell school supplies and library books. Among these, Bill found that he enjoyed the sporting goods business most of all, so he started his second successful business venture by opening "Thurman's Bike and Sport" which he owned and operated until selling it to his son, Jim, in 1994.

Bill loved sports and athletics and was an outstanding athlete in high school and college. He lettered in both basketball and track at Peru State College. He was very proud of his college basketball team which was one of the best in the college's history; Bill and his teammates were inducted into Peru's Hall of Fame. Bill was an excellent golfer and was a city golf champion. He also was an avid runner and cyclist.

Bill was married to Margie Emma (Roser) Thurman on September 2, 1951, in Nebraska City. The two were inseparable until Margie's death on May 14, 2007. Bill was a devoted husband and father. He and Margie worked together at the store, took family vacations fishing in Minnesota, and worked in their big yard. Bill could always be found watching his children's sporting events as their biggest fan, and he coached many of their teams.

Bill was also an accomplished artist and woodworker. He took up painting around 1970 using watercolors and acrylics. He had a wonderfully equipped workshop and artist studio until very recently. Bill and Margie loved the outdoors and animals. Together they frequently rode their bicycles; cross-country skied, hiked, and walked their dogs. They also had a wildflower prairie they planted and tended.

Bill and Margie were members of the First United Methodist Church in Nebraska City. Bill served in the Nebraska Army National Guard as a second lieutenant until he was honorably discharged in 1957.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; wife of 55 years, Margie Thurman; and one step-grandson, Todd Grimm.

He is survived by a daughter, Julie Thompson and husband Mike of Gilbert, AZ; and two sons, Rev. Jeff Thurman and wife Linda of Gothenburg, NE, and Jim Thurman and wife Carol of Nebraska City, NE; 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, April 18, 2014, at the Nebraska City First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Charles Kathurima officiating. Visitations will be open from 1:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at the Marshall Funeral Chapel in Nebraska City, NE.

Memorials will go to Hearts United For Animals - PO Box 286 - Auburn, NE 68305 - 402-274-3679 and interment will be in Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City. Online condolences may be expressed at www.marshallfuneral.com. The Marshall Funeral Chapel in Nebraska City, NE is in charge of arrangements.